The next change that took place was in the year 1784, 24 George III. c. 53, when a duty was again imposed of 6d. per ounce on silver plate. It was also enacted that the assay masters should stamp the work with the additional mark of the “King’s head,” as well as the others already ordered by the various Acts of the Legislature. The mark of the King’s head represented that of the reigning sovereign, and showed that the duty had been paid on the work. The present mark, therefore, is the Queen’s head.
By an Act passed in the year 1797, 37 George III. c. 90, the duty on silver ware was increased to one shilling per ounce, but the Act which subjected silver wares to a duty of 6d. per ounce (24 George III. c. 53) has not been repealed, and is therefore in existence to this very day; by its provisions, however, the duty has been increased from time to time, until it has reached the amount at which it now stands.
The present annual licences of £2 6s. and £5 15s. respectively, were enacted in the year 1803 by an Act of 43 George III. c. 69, and by these regulations every person making or trading in silver wares, or otherwise dealing in the raw material, is compelled to take out an annual licence, or render himself liable to a penalty of £50.
Another Act was passed in reference to the duty on silver goods in the year following, 1804, 44 George III. c. 98, whereby it was increased to 1s. 3d. per ounce. And in the year 1815, 55 George III. c. 185, the Act was further extended to 1s. 6d. per oz. calculated in the manner we have described at the beginning of this chapter. To sum up, therefore, the silver duties in their several forms, bearing upon the trade at the present time, we find them as follows:—
Manufacturers of silver wares under 5 dwts. in weights.—Exempted from all duties.
Vendors and dealers in silver wares under 5 dwts. in weight.—Exempted from all duties.
Manufacturers of silver wares under 30 oz. in weight.—A plate licence of £2 6s. annually.
Vendors and dealers in silver wares under 30 oz. in weight.—A plate licence of £2 6s. annually.
Manufacturers of silver wares of more than 30 oz. in weight.—A plate licence of £5 15s. annually.